Sustainability in Practice (SIP) Certification

• SIP Certification is available to growers and wineries throughout California

• SIP looks at the whole farm verifying the farmers commitment to environmental stewardship, equitable treatment of employees, and business sustainability

• SIP is a practice and performance based program – every requirement and management enhancement has to do with practices and is measurable, therefore auditable

• SIP has a high threshold for eligibility – not every grower can qualify

• SIP prohibits the use of high risk pesticides (organophosphates, groundwater contaminants, just to name a few)

SIP Certification Summary

In order to qualify for vineyard certification, California growers must farm in a way that protects both natural and human resources as outlined in the rules, otherwise known as the Standards. Not only do growers have to achieve and document 41 Requirements, but they must also earn 75% of the available points through implementing additional Management Enhancements to qualify for certification. An accredited, 3rd party inspector verifies a grower's responses and practices through an in-depth records and on-site audit, and certification is granted by an independent Advisory Committee.

Standards

CCVT and our growers are proud of the robust and comprehensive nature of the Sustainability in Practice (SIP)™ Vineyard Certification Standards which underwent an extensive peer review facilitated by SureHarvest. The Standards require significant documentation and whole farm system management integration. The Standards are a "living document" - as science, technology, and research developments become available the Standards evolve with the expertise of a Technical Committee.